Life on Hawaii's Volcanoes
Thank you for the beautiful article on "Hawaii's
Volcanic Cradle of Life" (July). Unfortunately the
state of Hawaii has targeted the Puna Forest
Reserve for development of geothermal energy.
Experts debate how much of the rain forest will
actually be destroyed. Substantial acreage already
has been bulldozed. Introduced weeds are spread
ing. Soon the lovely landscape painting will be
inaccurate unless it depicts the massive indus
trialization that will replace much of Puna's
cradle of life.
WILLIAM D. SMITH
Wailuku, Hawaii
The author fails to mention the destruction of habi-
tat by resort and golf-course developers, cattle
farmers, and feral ungulates. These have led to the
endangerment of many Hawaiian plant and animal
species. If they aren't controlled, then Hawaii is
destined to end up like her sister islands to the
northwest-a few small stands of native habitat
surrounded by concrete clear-cuts.
MARK FASCHING
PortAngeles, Washington
Geographica
About the spread of kudzu (July), I have great rafts
of it climbing the Palisades less than a block from
my home. I have also observed the vine growing
thick and furious on the Peconic Bay side of South
ampton, Long Island. My stepfather's gardener,
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